Moisture wicking athletic apparel

ABSTRACT

A wristband having a substrate, wherein the substrate is generally tubular and adapted to be worn proximate the wrist of a user, and wherein the substrate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front end, and a rear end; and a shell, wherein the shell includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the shell covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/812,239, entitled “FRICTION ENHANCING ATHLETIC APPAREL,” filed Nov. 14, 2017—which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including all references cited therein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to athletic apparel (e.g., wristbands, armbands, headbands, etcetera) and, more particularly, to novel athletic apparel that comprise a moisture absorbing substrate (i.e., inner layer) and a moisture wicking shell (i.e., outer layer).

2. Background Art

Athletic apparel and associated accessories have been known in the art for years and are the subject of a plurality of patents and publications, including: U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,926 entitled “Compression Support Sleeve,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,980 entitled “Friction Enhancing Wristband,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,638 entitled “Protective Wristband,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,318 entitled “Wrist Band Containing an Anti-slip Composition,” United States Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0197328 entitled “Wrist Protection and Support Mechanism,” and United Kingdom Patent Application Number 2,318,500 entitled “Headband”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including all references cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,926 appears to disclose a multilayer compression support sleeve. The laminate material includes a thin polyurethane film coated on both surfaces with an adhesive. A stretchable elastomeric polymer material is bonded to each of the adhesive surfaces. A substantial portion of one of the elastomeric polymer surfaces is coated with a discontinuous layer of silicone microdots. The microdots are applied by gravure roll printing to project a uniform distance above the elastomeric polymer surface to form small tacky dots. The laminate material is fabricated into a sleeve with the material oriented so that the microdot coated face is adjacent the skin of the wearer. Microdots may be applied in a predetermined pattern in order to impart enhanced compression to certain areas of the support sleeve. The resulting support sleeve retains its breathability while presenting a nonslip inner surface which prevents migration of the garment on the skin of the wearer during exercise.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,980 appears to disclose a wristband, particularly suitable for athletic use, that includes an elastic moisture absorbing sleeve having a high friction surface located over a major portion of the wristband whereby a ball, such as a football, gripped between the wristband and the wearer's body resists removal or dropping.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,638 appears to disclose a protective wristband with integrally woven inner and outer layers of an absorbent stretchable fabric material to provide an endless generally hollow interior, and a cushioned shield disposed between the layers such that the shield is concealed to provide the appearance of a conventional, unprotective wristband.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,318 appears to disclose a wrist band that has a fabric cover which is capable of assuming an annular configuration and contains a cavity. A granular anti-slip composition is within the cavity and will escape through the interstices of the cover when one's hand, a racket handle, or some other object is rubbed against the cover.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0197328 appears to disclose an article of manufacture for protecting a wrist of a person as the person operates equipment over a work surface. The article of manufacture includes a sheet and multiple protrusions attached to and extending from the sheet. The sheet may be placed on the work surface and the protrusions are adapted to provide support of the wrist. Two edges of the sheet may include fasteners allowing the article of manufacture to be worn as a band on the wrist. The sheet and protrusions may be manufactured in a single manufacturing process.

United Kingdom Patent Application Number 2,318,500 appears to disclose a headband that comprises a textile base with a frictional material affixed to its outer surface, and a silicone rubber material affixed to its inner surface. The silicone rubber layer helps to grip the wearer's head, preventing slippage, and the frictional material assists the wearer to control a football or the like. The textile layer is typically absorbent to act as a sweatband. The frictional material can be wider at the forehead part, and may feature ribs, grooves, dimples or nodules.

While athletic apparel and associated accessories, as disclosed hereinabove, have been known in the art for years, none of the above-identified patents and publications appear to disclose athletic apparel that comprise a moisture absorbing substrate and a moisture wicking shell that helps keep moisture, water, and/or sweat off of the hands of an athlete. The wristbands of the present invention also substantially prevent and/or eliminate heaviness due to moisture buildup.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to athletic apparel (e.g., wristbands, armbands, headbands, etcetera) comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: (a) a substrate, wherein the substrate is generally tubular and adapted to be worn proximate the wrist of a user, and wherein the substrate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front end, and a rear end; and (b) a shell, wherein the shell includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the shell covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate comprises a hydrophilic material and/or a water absorbing material.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate comprises a flexible material.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate comprises cotton and/or a blend of cotton and elastane. In this embodiment, the substrate preferably comprises a composite of approximately 80 percent cotton and approximately 20 percent elastane.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell covers the entire substrate.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell comprises a hydrophobic material and/or a moisture wicking material.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell comprises an elastomeric material.

In accordance with the present invention, the shell preferably comprises a polyurethane fiber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell comprises an elastane.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell is fabricated from a material represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein m comprises an integer ranging from 1 to approximately 100; and wherein n comprises an integer ranging from 5 to approximately 1,000.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell comprises a polyester knit mesh.

In another aspect of the present invention, the shell comprises a blend of at least two, three and/or four of bamboo, cotton, gore-tex, lyocell, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, silk, activated silk, spandex, tencel, wood pulp, wool, and x-static.

In one aspect of the present invention, the substrate and/or the shell is associated with an anti-microbial agent and/or an anti-fungal agent.

The present invention is also directed to an article of athletic apparel, comprising: (a) a substrate, wherein the substrate is generally tubular and adapted to be worn proximate the wrist, forearm, and/or head of a user, and wherein the substrate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front end, and a rear end; and (b) a shell, wherein the shell includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the shell covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted.

It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is an isometric view of a wristband manufactured in accordance with the present invention positioned on a user's arm proximate the wrist;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is an isometric view of the wristband of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a top plan view of the wristband of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a side elevational view of the wristband of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the wristband taken along line V of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a side elevational view of a headband of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is disclosed and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-5, wristband 10 is shown, which generally comprises substrate/body 12 and shell/outer liner 14.

Substrate 12 of wristband 10 is preferably generally tubular and adapted to be worn proximate the wrist of a user (See FIG. 1). substrate 12 preferably includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front end, and a rear end.

Substrate 12 of wristband 10 is preferably flexible, moisture absorbing, hydrophilic, and fabricated from natural and/or synthetic fibers/materials—including, but not limited to cotton, wool, linen, silk, cashmere, hemp, jute, elastane, nylon, modacrylic, olefin, acrylic, polyester, rayon, vinyon, saran, spandex, vinalon, aramids (e.g., nomex, kevlar, twaron, etcetera), modal, dyneema/spectra, polybenzimidazole fiber, sulfar, lyocell, orlon, zylon, vectran, and/or derclon—just to name a few. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, substrate 12 of wristband 10 is fabricated from a composite/hybrid of approximately 80 percent cotton and approximately 20 percent elastane.

It will be understood that while the present invention has been disclosed as comprising a wristband body, other athletic apparel are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention, including armbands, headbands, etcetera.

Shell 14 of wristband 10 is preferably associated with at least a portion of the outer surface of substrate 12. When associated with the outer surface, shell 14 helps keep moisture, water, and/or sweat off of the hands, wrists, and/or head of an athlete.

In accordance with the present invention, shell 14 is associated with the outer surface of substrate 12 via adhesives, stitches, hook and loop fasteners, etcetera.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shell 14 covers the entire substrate. Preferably, shell 14 comprises a hydrophobic material, a moisture wicking material, and/or an elastomeric material. In this embodiment, shell 14 preferably has more elasticity than substrate 12. Moreover, shell 14 also preferably has a greater hydrophobicity than shell 14.

In accordance with the present invention, shell 14 preferably comprises a polyurethane fiber.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, shell 14 comprises an elastane.

In addition, shell 14 may also be fabricated from a material represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein m comprises an integer ranging from 1 to approximately 100; and wherein n comprises an integer ranging from 5 to approximately 1,000.

In accordance with the present invention, shell 14 comprises a polyester knit mesh.

In another aspect of the present invention, shell 14 comprises a blend of at least two, three and/or four of bamboo, cotton, gore-tex, lyocell, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, silk, activated silk, spandex, tencel, wood pulp, wool, and x-static.

It will be understood that substrate 12 and/or shell 14 of wristband 10 may be single or double sidedly dip or spray coated with an anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and/or anti-viral agent, or alternatively one or both components may be impregnated with one or more of the aforementioned agents.

In accordance with the present invention, anti-microbial agents comprise chemical compositions that at least substantially inhibit microbial growth and/or kill bacteria, fungi and/or other microorganisms. A plurality of inorganic and/or organic chemical compositions which display anti-microbial activity are suitable for use with the present invention. Non-limiting examples of suitable organic substances that possess anti-microbial activity are carboxylic acids, alcohols and/or aldehydes, most of which appear to act by protein precipitation and/or by disruption of microbial cell membrane.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-microbial activity of suitable inorganic substances is generally related to the ions, toxic to other microorganisms, into which they dissociate. The anti-microbial activity of various metal ions, for example, is often attributed to their affinity for protein material and the insolubility of the metal proteinate formed. Metal-containing salts are thus preferred among the inorganic substances that act as anti-microbial agents.

Metal inorganic salts, including simple salts of metal cations and inorganic anions like silver nitrate, are often soluble and dissociable and, hence, offer ready availability of potentially toxic ions.

Metal salts or complexes of organic moieties such as organic acids, on the other hand, are often less soluble and, therefore, are less dissociable than the soluble metal inorganic salts. Metal organic salts or complexes generally have a greater stability with respect to extraneous organic matter, and anions present in the environment of the living cell than metal inorganic salts, but have less toxic potential by virtue of their greater stability.

Silver ion is an example of a preferred metal ion which possesses anti-microbial activity. To the best of Applicant's knowledge silver ions react with a variety of anions as well as with chemical moieties of proteins. Precipitation of proteins, causing disruption of the microbial cell membrane and complexation with DNA, is likely the basis of the anti-microbial activity. Silver ions in high concentration will form insoluble silver chloride and thereby deplete chloride ions in vivo.

Anti-bacterials are antiseptics that have the proven ability to act against bacteria. Non-limiting examples of anti-bacterials suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include alcohols such as ethanol (20-99⁺%), 1-propanol (20-99⁺%) and 2-propanol/isopropanol (20-99⁺%) or mixtures of these alcohols. They are commonly referred to as “surgical alcohol”. Used to disinfect the skin before injections are given, often along with iodine (tincture of iodine) or some cationic surfactants (benzalkonium chloride 0.05-0.5%, chlorhexidine 0.2-4.0% or octenidine dihydrochloride 0.1-2.0%). Other common anti-bacterials include quaternary ammonium compounds known as Quats or QAC's, include the chemicals benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTMB), cetylpyridinium chloride (Cetrim, CPC) and benzethonium chloride (BZT). Benzalkonium chloride is used in some pre-operative skin disinfectants (conc. 0.05-0.5%) and antiseptic towels. The anti-microbial activity of Quats is inactivated by anionic surfactants, such as soaps. Related disinfectants include chlorhexidine and octenidine.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology.

Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of” excludes any element not specified.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A wristband, comprising: a substrate, wherein the substrate is generally tubular and adapted to be worn proximate the wrist of a user, and wherein the substrate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front end, and a rear end; and a shell, wherein the shell includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the shell covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate.
 2. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a hydrophilic material.
 3. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a water absorbing material.
 4. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a flexible material.
 5. The wristband according to claim 4, wherein the substrate comprises cotton.
 6. The wristband according to claim 4, wherein the substrate comprises a composite of cotton and elastane.
 7. The wristband according to claim 7, wherein the substrate comprises a composite of approximately 80 percent cotton and approximately 20 percent elastane.
 8. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell covers the entire substrate.
 9. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a hydrophobic material.
 10. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a moisture wicking material.
 11. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises an elastomeric material.
 12. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a polyurethane fiber.
 13. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises an elastane.
 14. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell is fabricated from a material represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein m comprises an integer ranging from 1 to approximately 100; and wherein n comprises an integer ranging from 5 to approximately 1,000.
 15. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a polyester knit mesh.
 16. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a blend of at least four of bamboo, cotton, gore-tex, lyocell, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, silk, activated silk, spandex, tencel, wood pulp, wool, and x-static.
 17. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the substrate and the shell is associated with an anti-microbial agent.
 18. The wristband according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the substrate and the shell is associated with an anti-fungal agent.
 19. A wristband, consisting of: a substrate, wherein the substrate is water absorbing and generally tubular and adapted to be worn proximate the wrist of a user, and wherein the substrate consists of an inner surface, an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front end, and a rear end; and a shell, wherein the shell is moisture wicking and consists of an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the shell covers the outer surface of the substrate.
 20. An article of athletic apparel, comprising: a substrate, wherein the substrate is generally tubular and adapted to be worn proximate the wrist, forearm, and/or head of a user, and wherein the substrate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front end, and a rear end; and a shell, wherein the shell includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the shell covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate. 